The New Year is almost here, and that means it’s time to start planning your 2018 vacations. Just like this past year, 2018 looks very promising for cruisers. The cruise lines are competing for our vacation days by giving us more innovative vessels. In addition, they are adding more onboard entertainment and amenities with every new build. With so many to choose from, it was tough, but we were able to put together our picks for the Top 8 Cruises Ships for 2018.

8 Top Cruise Ships for 2018

Silversea Cloud Expedition

Okay, technically this ship just launched the end of this year. Although, odds are you have not sailed on the new Silver Cloud Expedition. This complete rehaul to the luxury line’s ship makes it one of our top picks for new ships you need to try in 2018. Now equipped to handle cold water cruising to the Antarctic. Thus, you can explore the southern most tip of the globe in style and complete luxury. You and 200 other passengers will enjoy some of the largest suites sailing the region. Along with exquisite dining, enrichment offerings, and opportunities to get up close and personal to the wildlife, next year might be when you finally decide to see the remote corners of the globe. Need more encouragement? Check out our 7 reasons you should take an Antarctic cruise for some inspiration.

Silver Cloud (Courtesy of Sliversea Cruises)

Norwegian Bliss

Norwegian Cruise Line fans are ready for the line’s newest and biggest vessel. The sister ship to Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Bliss will be making a splash when she sets sail for Alaska this May. Your favorite NCL signature restaurants are onboard. Also, some new favorites like Margaritaville at Sea can be found Norwegian Bliss. Debutting some new culinary delights including Q, the Texas style smokehouse, and the brand’s first Starbucks at sea. Adrenaline junkies can get their fix at the largest go-kart race track at sea.Or, test you can test your skills at the futuristic space laser tag found on the ship’s top decks. Not to mention, the ship offers a variety of nighttime entertainment. Shows include the headliner show Jersey Boys in the main theater. There are still plenty more reasons to consider a cruise on Norwegian Bliss. You can catch the ship during its inaugural season in Alaska or hitch a ride to the Caribbean in the fall when the ship repositions to Miami, FL.

Norwegian Bliss Rendering (Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)

Royal Caribbean Symphony of Seas

When Symphony of the Seas sets sail next spring, it will become the new title holder for world’s largest cruise ship. So of course, it had to make our list of the 8 top cruise ships for 2018. Similar to other Oasis class ships, Symphony of the Seas will feature 7 distinct neighborhoods. Like the more recent vessels in this class, the ship will also have waterslides, and the Ultimate Abyss, a 10-story dry slide. Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade found on the Boardwalk is a brand new addition to Symphony. This new sports bar will features games, TVs, and plenty of food, drinks and good times. It will also debut the line’s first dedicated seafood restaurant, Hooked Seafood. At night, you can be entertained by a production of Hairspray in the main theater or head outside to the Aqua Theater for the original HiRo dive show. Symphony of the Seas will also have its own puzzle break room and other groundbreaking offerings that are sure to entice you to sail on this brand new vessel.

Carnival Horizon

Family cruisers will welcome Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship when it sets sail in the spring of 2018. The second ship in the company’s Vista class, Carnival Horizon promises some family friendly fun. Similar to its older sister Carnival Vista, Horizon will feature an IMAX theater. Also it will feature the Skyride, a bicycle style ride suspended above the pool deck. There are plenty of new surprises onboard Horizon too. The ship will be home to the company’s first ever teppanyaki Asian steakhouse, Bonsai Teppanyaki. Carnival Horizion will also have the first ever Dr. Seuss themed WaterWorks with slides that are fun for kids of all ages. Another brand new concept debuting on Carnival Horizon is the Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse | Brewhouse. This new restaurant features four signature beers to compliment the comfort food menu. Along with plenty of Carnival 2.0 favorites, this ship promises to be the most innovative and exhilarating ship in the line’s growing fleet.

Carnival Horizon (Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)

U by Uniworld

Most cruise lines try to appeal to a wide variety of cruisers from solo travelers, to families, to more “seasoned cruisers”. Although, sometimes being selective is a good thing. That is what Uniworld is betting on with its new U by Uniworld. This river cruise ship was specifically designed to appeal to cruisers aged 21 to 45. Millennial cruisers now have their own river cruise ship. Actually, there will be two ships in the fleet, aptly named The A and The B. Everything on the line’s two custom-designed ships will be tailored to cater to these younger travelers. With completely redesigned staterooms and lounges and dining venues that feature communal tables with a more open and cozy feel, these vessels are not what you might expect on a typical river cruise. Even the specific itineraries and shore excursions were created with this age group in mind. Cruises throughout France and Germany start sailing in April of 2018.

U by Uniworld (Courtesy of Uniworld Cruise)

Celebrity Edge

It has been a while since Celebrity Cruises has had a new ship. So, the Celebrity Edge is the company’s attempt to push ship design “to the edge” with some one-of-a-kind features and venues that will appeal to the sophisticated cruiser. Take Eden, the indoor multi-use space with amazing ocean views that will be home to a restaurant and entertainment that changes throughout the day. There is also a completely redesigned Resort Deck, including a stylish pool deck and the Rooftop Garden, home to Rooftop Grill and other leisurely daytime and nighttime activities. Celebrity Edge’s Magic Carpet is an industry first multi-use space that travels up and down the side of the ship acting as a tendering station, a restaurant, or a lounge. With more details to emerge about dining and entertainment, Celebrity Edge might just be in a class of its own when it sets sail at the end of 2018. We are already booked on this amazing new ship. Are you?

MSC Seaside

Okay, this ship technically debuts at the end of this year as well. Given the holiday release, it is more likely that cruisers will be considering the MSC Seaside for a cruise in 2018. MSC Seaside gets cruisers closer to the ocean with its forward thinking design. The main focal point is the large open air Boardwalk that will feature dining, bars, and shops. The ship will also feature a glass sky walk, which will enable travelers to walk “over” the ocean. More amazing views will be had in the glass panoramic aft elevators. Cruisers will zoom down the longest zipline at sea or test their skill at the ship’s waterpark. The part features several slides, including one that boasts slideboard technology, turning a slide into an interactive video game. The ship will also be home to 9 different restaurants, including a French inspired cafe, an American style steakhouse, and two different Asian dining concepts from award-winning Chef Roy Yamaguchi, to entice travelers to test out the line’s second ship to sail year round from Miami, FL.

MSC Seaside (Courtesy of MSC Cruises)

Mariner of the Seas

While Mariner of the Seas has been around for a while, the ship is getting a complete face lift in 2018. In fact, if it weren’t for the livery, you may not recognize the ship after it returns from a six month dry dock in the spring. When the ship emerges in April of 2018, it will have $100 million in updates and renovations. Among the announced changes are updates to the outdoor decks including waterslides and a new interactive water park for kids. The ship is also expecting to get some new staterooms and the addition of the surf simulator known as the Flowrider. Other updates to decor and onboard venues are expected as the ship will be repositioning from Asia to Miami, FL to offer short three and four day Bahamas cruises. Perhaps a quick getaway is in store for you in 2018 on this “new” ship?

Mariner of the Seas (Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International)

LINK FOR THE PICTURE

Comments

What ships are you looking forward to testing out in 2018? Do you agree with our list of the top 8 cruise ships for 2018? Drop us an anchor below with your picks.

7 Comments

Sounds like a promotion of new ships (change the title) none of which attract me. Too big, too frenetic.great for the family fun demographic.

Arlene
on December 12, 2017 at 3:18 pm

Booked on Edge Jan ‘19! Can’t wait for new design ideas

DB
on January 9, 2018 at 8:19 pm

We are booked on Edge for January 2019 too. Ship looks amazing. Happy cruising.

Mary
on December 25, 2017 at 7:04 pm

Not even close to the best ships. No mention of Windstar, or Seabourn, or Azamara. Which far out shine your list.

DB
on January 9, 2018 at 7:01 pm

Thanks Mary for the suggestions. Happy Cruising.

Julie Schwartz
on December 31, 2017 at 7:54 pm

Vista in March and Bliss in October
Looking so forward!!!

DB
on January 9, 2018 at 7:13 pm

Very exciting Julie. We will be on NCL Bliss in August. Let us know how you like Carnival Vista. That is one ship we are considering for a future cruise. Happy sailing.

About the Author

DB & The Princess

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We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 10 years ago and have been hooked ever since.
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